After water, Kejriwal tackles power; price cut by 50%

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Dec 31:  Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is in a hurry as far as election promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are concerned. After announcing the scheme to supply 20,000 litres of free water to every household with metered connection on Monday, a day later Kejriwal delivered on another of his major promises by cutting power tariff by a massive 50 per cent for those using up to 400 units per month.

 

"There will be 50 per cent subsidy to those who consume less than 400 units. The subsidised rates will benefit 28 lakh consumers in Delhi. Rates will be reduced further once the audit is over," said Kejriwal.

The subsidy will cost Rs 200 crore for the three months of the 2013-14 fiscal. The actual cash outgo will be Rs 61 crore.

Kejriwal, however, said no time frame can be given for the power audit.

Kejriwal had earlier announced that Comptroller and Auditor General is willing to audit power distribution companies in Delhi. CAG sources, however, said Kejriwal requested for audit of power companies from the last 11 years for which team will be deputed. The sources refuse to give a specific time frame for the completion of the audit.

However, sources in power companies said the CAG does not have the mandate to conduct such an audit.

Despite his ill health, Kejriwal met CAG Shashi Kant Sharma over the audit of power companies which has been one of the poll promises of the Aam Aadmi Party.

He had said that the state government feels audit is possible of all the three power distribution companies.

"All three companies should be given a chance to put their point of view. The three companies have been give time till tomorrow morning to respond on the companies being put under audit. There is no stay on audit," Kejriwal had said after meeting CAG.

Kejriwal has consistently alleged that private power distribution companies were overcharging Delhi residents.

AAP had promised to cut the electricity tariff by 50 per cent after assuming power. On Monday, AAP fulfiled its promise of providing free water by giving each household with meters 20,000 liters free water per month.